Parish Council report for the Waldringfield Annual Parish Meeting April 2012

1. Parish Council report for the Waldringfield Annual Parish Meeting April 2012 photo by airshots.co.uk

2. Members of the Parish Council: All Councillors were elected in May 2011 Parish Council Appointees: Non-Parish Council Responsibilities:

3. Parish Council Elections Parish council elections were held on 5th May 2011. There were 11 contenders for 9 seats: Many thanks to Mark Wootton and Paul Wright for their hard work on the Parish Council. The District Council (Nacton Ward) elections were held at the same time. Patricia O’Brian and Veronica Falconer were both re-elected

4. Council Meetings Council meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. Dates for 2012 are: 10th January 14th February 13th March 17th April (Annual Parish Meeting)‏ 8th May (Annual Parish Council Meeting)‏ 12th June 10th July 14th August 11th September 9th October 13th November 11th December All Parish Council meetings are open to the public and there is an opportunity at these meetings for residents to put information to the Council and ask questions.

5. Web Site Meeting dates and other information about the Council can be found by following the ‘Parish Council’ link at the Waldringfield web site at: http://waldringfield.onesuffolk.net/

6. Facts and Figures • 16 planning applications were dealt with (last year: 19 applications)‏. These included: • pontoon on beach • wind turbines at Foxburrow Farm • extension to Sailing Club Clubhouse • Many large public consultation exercises have been dealt with (LDF Core Strategy (again!), Waldringfield Quarry, National Planning Policy Framework, SCC cuts to services, East Anglia One offshore wind farm power cable route)

7. Nov Sep Dec Feb Mar Feb Local Development Framework 2006 Visions & Objectives SCDC Election May 2007 Issues & Options July SCDC Cabinet SCDC Full Council 2008 Appropriate Assessment & Sustainability Appraisal Aug Further Issues & Options Sept Consultation on AA & SA Preferred Options 2009 Updated Preferred Options Dec SCDC Full Council 2010 Pre-submission Core Strategy 2012 Reviewed Core Strategy 2011

8. Local Development Framework – Appropriate Assessment SCDC published an updated version of its Appropriate Assessment in June 2011. This contained several serious errors, which Waldringfield PC pointed out in a letter to the SCDC Cabinet... • Factually incorrect statement that there is no public car parking at Waldringfield • 1km cut-off figure taken out of context (from a study in Dorset) and uncritically applied to the situation in the Deben Estuary area • Unrealistic reliance on the creation of a new country park as ‘mitigation’ As a result, the Appropriate Assessment (and the Sustainability Appraisal) were revised and another consultation was run in September... The car park error was corrected but nothing else of substance changed.

9. Local Development Framework 2012 Jan Pre-submission Core Strategy consultation Feb Mar Submission of Core Strategy to Planning Inspector May? Examination in Public Planning Inspector’s Report Nov? 2013 Adoption? Feb?

10. Local Development Framework – Examination in Public The Inspector assesses the Core Strategy (and the SA and AA) for legal compliance and soundness. The Inspector will define the matters and issues which will provide the focus for the hearings. The sessions will be inquisitorial, with the Inspector probing the issues as opposed to an adversarial approach.

11. Local Development Framework – Examination in Public To be sound the Core Strategy needs to be: Justified: • founded on a robust and credible evidence base • evidence of participation of the local community and others • the most appropriate strategy when considered against reasonable alternatives Effective: • sound infrastructure delivery planning • no regulatory barriers to delivery • delivery partners who are signed up to it • coherent with the strategies of neighbouring authorities Consistent with National Policy

12. Local Development Framework – Timetable for Examination in Public

13. Local Development Framework – Timetable for Examination in Public

14. Local Development Framework – Legal Issues Waldringfield PC have applied for permission of a Judicial Review (JR) of SCDC’s LDF.... • Grounds for the JR are that SCDC failed to comply with European Law when they produced their environmental documents (SA and AA), which were used in key decisions in the Core Strategy • We would prefer this to be resolved at the EiP, but... • SCDC have refused to assure us that they won’t determine the BT application using the unexamined (and possibly unlawful) Core Strategy • If they do this, resolving the issues at the EiP will be too late, hence the need for a JR • We have asked the court to ‘stand down’ the JR unless the BT application is determined before the EiP • SCDC have opposed this • Our lawyers are Richard Buxton (Environmental & Public Law) and Tom Hill QC • All the costs are to be covered by donations from NANT, not out of the Parish precept

15. Playing Field Improved access to the playing field Repairs to the playing field fence

16. Playing Field Replacement of safety surfaces

17. Tennis Court New tree root barrier

18. Village Sign Refurbishment of village sign (for Diamond Jubilee celebrations)

19. Road Safety Renewal of road markings at Heath crossroads and the bend by Sheepdrift Farm

20. Village Verges Organised by the Wildlife Group, funded by the Parish Council

21. Benches New bench on beach in memory of Brian Marriott One of the old benches on the beach has been refurbished and installed by the bus stop

22. Parish Plan A start made on Parish Plan with public meeting in January 2012. For more information, please contact Cllr Janet Elliot tel 01473 736736 or email janet@buttermans.com

23. Parish Newsletter 4 Parish Newsletters are produced each year and over 200 copies are delivered to every house in the Parish by 13 volunteers. The Clerk, Jean Potter, organises its production, printing and distribution.

24. Other Issues • Support for Royal Wedding Party on the Playing Field • Training for Councillors • Representation re bus services • Annual Grants to Church Field Trust, Village Hall Trust and Parish Church • Obtained information re Oil purchasing schemes • Action re Manor Footpath • Support for Scattered Orchard project • Visit to Felixstowe Port to see details of expansion plans • Consideration re vehicle obstruction on Village Way • Concerns re Fairway Committee Constitution • Stray dog • Re-writing emergency plan (work in progress)

25. New Clerk We are looking for a new Clerk and RFO, as Jean Potter is sadly leaving us, after over 4 years of excellent service. If anyone is interested please contact: Ian Kay tel: 10473 736384, email: ian.kay1@btinternet.com or Jean Potter Tel: 01473 723409, email: pc.waldringfield@googlemail.com

26. Questions?